Manual Of The Forbidden - Ryeji

Chapter 31

I had spent almost the entire night awake, brainstorming a good name for my work, something like the title of a story, but nothing was good enough.

Then I remembered one of the conversations I had with Winter, the one where I showed her the number of photographs I had taken of Ryujin.

I had used a term to refer to them: —Manual of the Forbidden,— because that's what they were to me.

So I had the idea and the name for my exhibition: —Manual of the Forbidden,— in English, because it had happened in London.

After I called Jang and he enthusiastically accepted the title, I dialed Eunwoo's number; he still owed me some explanations. I asked him to come to my house, and within minutes, he was knocking on my door. I let him in and sat him down in front of me in the living room.

—Did you receive the news, right?— He smiled, not knowing what to expect.

—Just yesterday. Why didn't you tell me?—

—Because I thought you were going to say no, and I'm not wrong, am I?— He raised an eyebrow.

—Well, no, but... I accepted,— I exhaled.

—You accepted? Seriously?— The expression of lively joy returned to his face.

—Against myself, even,— I admitted.

—Why do you say that?— He asked confused.

—Because by exhibiting those photographs, they will end up hating me, Eunwoo. I went and destroyed their perfect relationship, I lied to Ryujin by telling her that I didn't love her, and now, and now I come here to expose my life to half the world.—

—You're not exposing your life,— he contradicted me. —Each person will interpret the photographs their own way, it doesn't say 'I stole my best friend's girlfriend,' does it?— He raised his eyebrow again.

—I know, but I'm so selfish that it doesn't matter so much if Ryujin gets angry and hates me completely, it hurts me a lot, but... I just want to see her again. That's why I accepted, Woonie, this gives me hope of seeing her face again.—

—Selfish? Yeji, you're the least selfish person I know, but I'll tell you what you are: masochistic,— I frowned, but he continued speaking. —For once in your life, Yeji, indulge yourself. You live worrying about other people's lives, their opinions, and you neglect yourself,— he shook me slightly by the shoulders. —Think of yourself for once. If this might bring you closer to that Ryujin person, then don't hold back. For once in your life, fight for what you want.—

I hadn't stopped to think that, although Eunwoo was blunt about feelings, he could also be the master of reason. And right now I had it, I wasn't going to back down thinking about the people around me, or the ones who were once there; even if the idea was more ridiculous and the hope more crude, I had to move forward.

—I guess you're right, Eunwoo,— I smiled at him, and he smiled back.

—Don't guess, you are,— he laughed and then hugged me. —I know it's going to be the most popular photo exhibition in Seoul,— he encouraged me.

—Or beyond.—

After that afternoon and many more, as time continued its course and with it took my sighs, the date of the photo exhibition approached.

Jang had done his renowned job by giving enough publicity to mine, sending out flyers, posters, and even a billboard in the city. He was a crazy guy, but he gave me hope. They even used the design of a website on the internet, announcing the photo exhibition —Manual of the Forbidden— by Hwang Yeji, and next to it, a photograph of Ryujin, which Eunwoo had given to Jang.